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Thermally induced gelable polymer networks for living cell encapsulation
Author(s) -
Lu HongFang,
Targonsky Elisha D.,
Wheeler Michael B.,
Cheng YuLing
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
biotechnology and bioengineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.136
H-Index - 189
eISSN - 1097-0290
pISSN - 0006-3592
DOI - 10.1002/bit.21121
Subject(s) - capsule , cell encapsulation , polymer , copolymer , confocal microscopy , viability assay , membrane , chemistry , biophysics , solvent , aqueous solution , chemical engineering , polymer chemistry , cell , organic chemistry , biochemistry , self healing hydrogels , microbiology and biotechnology , botany , engineering , biology
We report the encapsulation of MIN6 cells, a pancreatic β‐cell line, using thermally induced gelable materials. This strategy uses aqueous solvent and mild temperatures during encapsulation, thereby minimizing adverse effects on cell function and viability. Using a 2:1 mixture of PNIPAAm‐PEG‐PNIPAAm tri‐block copolymer and PNIPAAm homopolymer that exhibit reversible sol‐to‐gel transition at ∼30°C, gels were formed that exhibit mechanical integrity, and are stable in H 2 O, PBS and complete DMEM with negligible mass loss at 37°C for 60 days. MTT assays showed undetectable cytotoxicity of the polymers towards MIN6 cells. A simple microencapsulation process was developed using vertical co‐extrusion and a 37°C capsule collection bath containing a paraffin layer above DMEM. Spherical capsules with diameters ranging from 500 to 900 µm were formed. SEM images of freeze‐dried capsules with PBS as the core solution showed homogenous gel capsule membranes. Confocal microscopy revealed that the encapsulated cells tended to form small aggregates over 5 days, and staining for live and dead cells showed high viability post‐encapsulation. A static glucose challenge with day‐5 cultured microencapsulated cells exhibited glucose‐dependent insulin secretion comparable to controls of free MIN6 cells grown in monolayers. These results demonstrate the potential use of these thermo‐responsive polymers as cell encapsulation membranes. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2007;96: 146–155. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.